Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victoria Byrd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Victoria , appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment in my career emerged unexpectedly, not within the traditional confines of a pharmacy, but during a deeply personal and transformative period of my life. Having stepped away from my role as a community pharmacist to focus fully on raising my family, I found myself navigating an entirely new set of challenges. My identity, so closely intertwined with pharmacy practice since my teenage years when my father drove me around town at sixteen to find my first job at Eckerd Drugstore, was now shifting.

Reflecting on my earliest days behind the pharmacy counter, I vividly recall the excitement of my first role as a pharmacy cashier: the constant hum of dot-matrix printers, the ringing phones, and the bustling drive-thru window. Those early moments shaped my passion for patient care. Years later, as a pharmacy technician at Kroger, I keenly remember the profound impact of groundbreaking medications such as Viagra hitting the shelves, and later, how the release of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study dramatically changed perceptions about hormone therapy, leading to shelves of unused Prempro packs. Witnessing these events in real-time highlighted the vulnerability patients felt when health information changed suddenly and drastically.

My own health challenges in midlife brought these professional insights full circle. Following a painful spinal surgery and the stress of caregiving for my daughter during her own surgical recovery, I experienced firsthand the gaps and limitations within traditional healthcare, particularly regarding women’s midlife health. Struggling through my own recovery journey and the perimenopausal shifts in my body, I realized traditional medicine alone wasn’t addressing the nuanced and multifaceted needs of women at this critical stage.

Motivated by these experiences, I began pursuing new certifications, becoming an Integrative Women’s Health Coach and Menopause Educator, determined to offer a more comprehensive approach that bridged clinical pharmacy knowledge with integrative wellness practices. The decision to launch my coaching practice, “Women Mastering Midlife,” was both empowering and deeply personal. It felt like a return to my roots of patient-centered care, enriched now by my lived experience and expanded professional perspective.

One anecdote remains particularly vivid in my mind: the first workshop I delivered, guiding women through the confusion and overwhelm they faced during menopause. Seeing relief and newfound clarity on their faces as I connected complex medical concepts with practical, everyday strategies was transformative. This moment crystallized my purpose, affirming that my unconventional career pivot was exactly where I was meant to be.

Today, through my practice, I proudly offer personalized wellness coaching, community support, and educational resources empowering women to navigate midlife transitions with confidence and clarity. My career’s defining moment wasn’t just a single event; it was the courageous choice to weave together the threads of my pharmacy background, personal health journey, and passion for integrative care into a meaningful tapestry that serves and uplifts other women.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Victoria Byrd, a licensed pharmacist and certified integrative women’s health coach specializing in guiding women through the transformative journey of midlife, including perimenopause and menopause. My career began in community pharmacy, where, from the age of sixteen, I developed a deep passion for patient care. However, after stepping away to raise my family, I personally encountered significant gaps in women’s healthcare during my own health challenges and midlife transition.

Motivated by these experiences, I pursued certifications in Integrative Women’s Health Coaching, Menopause Education, Nutrition Coaching, and Behavior Change, blending my extensive pharmacy background with holistic wellness practices. Today, through my business, “Women Mastering Midlife,” I provide personalized one-on-one coaching, clarity sessions, and a vibrant community platform designed to empower women with knowledge, practical strategies, and the confidence to navigate midlife health on their own terms.

My services uniquely bridge the gap between conventional Western medicine and integrative holistic care, focusing on five essential pillars of menopause health: stress management, nutrition, lifestyle balance, intentional movement, and restorative sleep. I address common yet often overlooked midlife concerns such as hormonal imbalances, fatigue, stress, sleep disruptions, and nutrition confusion, providing actionable solutions that resonate deeply with women experiencing these transitions.

What sets me apart is my commitment to meeting each woman exactly where she is, understanding that sustainable health transformations come from small, manageable changes tailored to her unique needs and lifestyle. I passionately believe that a woman’s intuition is her superpower, and I prioritize empowering my clients to trust and harness their inner wisdom as they master their midlife journey.

I’m incredibly proud of building a practice that truly makes a difference in women’s lives, offering education, support, and a compassionate community where midlife challenges are transformed into opportunities for growth and vibrant living. My ultimate message to potential clients and followers is simple yet powerful: “Mastering Midlife on Your Terms” because I firmly believe that small, intentional changes can lead to profound, lasting results.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what’s really helped me build my reputation is creating a space where women feel heard, informed, and empowered, especially through my **Women Mastering Midlife Podcast**. It’s been amazing to host top experts like Dr. Jayne Morgan, Aoife O’Sullivan, and NP Jackie Piasta, who bring cutting-edge research and practical advice to midlife women everywhere. Having conversations with respected authors has also allowed my audience to connect with fresh ideas and solutions for navigating midlife.

But what truly boosts my credibility are the heartfelt testimonials from my clients. Their stories and successes demonstrate that my approach genuinely works, creating real, meaningful change. My website and regular newsletters and blog posts keep the community engaged, providing relatable and valuable information consistently.

All these things together: the podcast, my fantastic guests, client success stories, and reliable content, have helped me become known as someone who truly supports and understands midlife women.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A significant pivot in my career and personal life occurred in September 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the profound challenges my daughters faced transitioning to online learning, I made the deliberate decision to temporarily pause building my business so I could prioritize their emotional and educational well-being. My focus shifted entirely to homeschooling them through a structured online learning program, ensuring they had a stable, nurturing, and supportive home environment during an unprecedented time.

Interestingly, this professional pause coincided with my own personal journey through perimenopause. As I navigated my own emerging symptoms, I seized the opportunity to deeply educate myself and advocate for my health. This experience ignited my passion for women’s midlife health and advocacy, reshaping my professional direction. Once my daughters returned to in-person school, I pivoted my career toward specializing in midlife women’s wellness, transforming a challenging period into an inspiring new trajectory dedicated to empowering women in their own health journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.msvictoriabyrd.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msvictoriabyrd
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msvictoriabyrd/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenmasteringmidlife
• Other: Women Mastering Midlife Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49MQRqgbZLiqy1rChkedn5?si=925692e63c8244a4

  Women Mastering Midlife Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-mastering-midlife/id1744079059

Image Credits

@Heather Chard Photography